IT Project Management
Project management methodologies enhance the likeliness of project success, and effective resource management. As a part of a state-mandated initiative, TTU IT will be providing resources to the campus, and tracking key IT projects on campus. For each IT project that you currently have underway and for each new IT project, please register your projects with TTU IT.
State Mandates IT Project Management
Per Texas Government Code §2054.151.b – “The legislature finds that to ensure the successful completion of all information resources projects, all projects must be managed using project management practices.” Registering all information technology projects (IT) on campus will help ensure Texas Tech University is in compliance with University policies as well as other applicable laws. It also helps the University to maximize resources campus-wide.
Project: Definition & Characteristics
TAC 216.1.8 defines a project as “An initiative that provides information resources technologies and creates products, services, or results within or among elements of a state agency; and is characterized by well-defined parameters, specific objectives, common benefits, planned activities, a scheduled completion date, and an established budget with a specified source of funding.” Basically, a project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result.
Examples of an Information Technology (IT) project:
- Replacing or upgrading a computer lab with new workstations.
- Purchasing/Installing any software that requires eRaider authentication.
- Adding a new application that interfaces with another TTU application (e.g., sending or receiving data from Banner).
- Updating a departmental website with new templates, functionality, information, etc.
- Upgrading a research cluster
Examples that are NOT an Information Technology (IT) project:
- Replacing or upgrading a single workstation.
- Purchasing software that is hosted by a vendor and does not require the exchange of data with any other TTU system (unless it requires eRaider sign-on to use the application).
- Installing patches/fixes for a software
- Creating an Excel spreadsheet to log departmental purchases
- Installing web cams on a couple of workstations
Overview of Project Management
The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities, throughout the life of the project. This typically includes:
- Clarifying the scope
- Identifying the requirements
- Addressing stakeholder expectations
- Balancing the competing constraints
- Scope, Schedule, Budget, Quality, Resources, Risk, etc.
Project Management Practices
Texas Government Code 2054.152 defines project management practices as “a documented and repeatable activities through which a state agency applies knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to satisfy project activity requirements”.
Identifying Stakeholders
A stakeholder is people or organizations (both internal and external) who are actively or passively involved in the project and has varying levels of interest in the project.
Project Roles
- Project Sponsor – Overall responsibility for the success of the project or solution (usually Executive or Senior Manager)
- Departmental Project Manager – Operational responsibility for the success of the project, directs project planning and execution.
- Designated Project Contact – Serves as the project contact for the department and is responsible for the department level decisions.
Project Partners
A partner is anyone that is involved with the project or may be impacted by the projects. Some examples of partners are other departments, other areas, vendors, other universities, etc.
Help
All questions about projects, project management, and/or the use of the IT Project Registration application can be submitted to ITProjects@ttu.edu.
Information Technology Division
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Address
Texas Tech University, Office of the CIO, Box 42008, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806-742-5151 -
Email
webmaster@ttu.edu